Pran is one of the superb villains in Indian cinema, in fact the iconic villain the metaphor for evil according to Mahesh Bhatt. He was born as Pran Krishan Sikand on 12 February 1920. He was born in Ballimaran, Old Delhi. His father, Kewal Krishan Sikand, was a civil engineer and a Government civil contractor, his mother was Rameshwari, and the couple had four sons and three daughters. He has appeared in over 350 films. Born to an affluent family he was benevolent. Pran Saheb was known to be social and friendly. Hrishikesh Mukherjee`s `Guddi` shows a glimpse of how the real life Pran was.
Career of Pran
Mohammad Wali, a writer, spotted Pran at a shop and found his face interesting. He recommended Pran Saheb to his friend Dalsukh Pancholi. He was cast as a villain in his film, `Yamla Jat` (Punjabi). What followed were other films, `Chaudhary` and `Khajanchi.` These Punjabi films were hit and they established Pran as a favourite villain. After partition Pran shifted to Mumbai with his family. His first film after a long break was `Ziddi` with Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal. The film was directed by directed by Shaheed Lateef. `Afsana` (1951), `Aah` (1953), `Malkin` (1953) and `Badi Bahu` (1954) were his other films during this time as a villain.
Pran took everybody by surprise by essaying a positive character in Manoj Kumar`s `Upkaar` in 1960s. Then he went on to play positive characters in film, such as, `Zanjeer`, `Don`, `Amar Akbar Anthony` and `Majboor.` He had acted in films for 60 years and has left an indelible mark behind him. Apart from his villainous roles he was seen in films with strong characterisation. His elite looks, commanding voice and personality, attention grabbing smirk and spontaneous performance made him one of the most bankable actors in Indian cinema.
Filmfare Awards won by Pran:
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Upkaar, 1967
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Aanso Ban Gaye Phool, 1969
Filmfare Best Actor Award for Biraj Bahu, 1973
Filmfare Best Actor Award for Parichay, 1972
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, 1997
BFJA Awards:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, 1961
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Shaheed, 1966
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Zanjeer, 1974
Other awards for Pran include the following:
Year |
Award |
Year |
Award |
1973 |
Chitrlok Cine Circle Ahmedabad, Best Character Award |
1990 |
Kala Rattan Award presented by Punjabi Kal Sangam for 50 glorious Years, Punjab Association: an Award for 50 years in the Industry |
1976 |
Bombay Film Award, Most Versatile Actor |
1991 |
Cinegoers Award: "Abhinay Samrat Golden Jubilee Actor," |
1978 |
Bombay Film Award, Most Versatile Actor, North Bombay Jaycees, Best Character Actor |
1992 |
Outstanding contribution to Indian Film Industry, Indian Motion Pictures Producers` Association |
1983 |
Kala Bhushan Award presented by Punjabi Kala Sangam |
2000 |
Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award, Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement, Villain of the Millennium by Stardust Award |
1984 |
Extra Ordinary Special Award as Wizard of Acting by Bombay Film Award, Viyayshree Award, India Int. Friendship Society, "Ars Gratia Artis" for excellence in emotive Art, Filmgoers Award, "Abhinay Samrat," |
2001 |
Padma Bhushan |
1987 |
North Bombay Jaycees: Outstanding Performance of Decade |
2004 |
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Maharashtra Government |
Filmography of Pran
Year |
Film |
Year |
Film |
1942 |
Khandan |
1971 |
Guddi, Naya Zamana |
1948 |
Barsat Ki Ek Raat |
1972 |
Ek Bechara, Parichay, Victoria No. 203 |
1954 |
Biraj Bahu |
1973 |
Zanjeer, Bobby, Jugnu, Jheel Ke Us Paar |
1955 |
Azad, Munimji, Chori Chori |
1974 |
Majboor, Zehreela Insaan |
1956 |
Devdas |
1975 |
Sanyasi |
1957 |
Tumsa Nahin Dekha |
1976 |
Dus Numbari |
1958 |
Madhumati |
1977 |
Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer |
1960 |
Chhalia, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai |
1978 |
Des Pardes, Don, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Vishwanath |
1961 |
Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai |
1980 |
Aap Ke Diwane, Dostana, Karz |
1962 |
Dil Tera Diwana, Half Ticket |
1981 |
Kaalia, Naseeb |
1963 |
Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Mere Mehboob |
1983 |
Andha Kanoon, Naukar Biwi Ka, Souten, Nastik |
1964 |
Kashmir Ki Kali, Rajkumar |
1984 |
Insaaf Kaun Karega, Sharaabi |
1965 |
Mere Sanam, Shaheed |
1985 |
Bewafai |
1966 |
Do Badan,Dil Diya Dard Liya, Love in Tokyo |
1986 |
Dosti Dushmani |
1967 |
An Evening In Paris, Pathar Ke Sanam, Ram Aur Shyam, Milan, Upkar |
1988 |
Paap Ki Duniya, Shahenshah |
1968 |
Safar, Brahmchari |
1994 |
1942: A Love Story |
1969 |
Anjaana, Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai, Pyar Hi Pyar |
1996 |
Tere Mere Sapne |
1970 |
Ganwaar, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Gopi, Heer Raanjha, Humjoli, Johny Mera Naam, Purab Aur Paschim |
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Recently he is being awarded the
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award, the nation`s top cine award in the year 2013. After a prolonged illness, this great soul left for heavenly abode on 12th July 2013, at the age of 93.